System and method for monitoring a packet network

ABSTRACT

A method and system is provided for monitoring the quality of signal transmissions in a communications network by calculating Quality of Services (QoS) scores and corresponding Transmission Impairment Test (TIT) scores, and then monitoring a QoS score to predict a corresponding TIT score. When the predicted TIT score goes below a minimum value, an administrator of the communications network will be informed so that the administrator can determine if services may be needed to restore the quality of signal transmissions. In an embodiment, the communications network includes a cable modem termination system (CMTS); a voice band tester (VBT) coupled to the CMTS; a cable modem tester coupled to the CMTS; and a Voice over Internet Packet (VoIP) monitoring device coupled to the CMTS and the voice band tester. The cable modem tester is located at a location remote from the VBT.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to communicationnetworks, and more specifically to the monitoring and management ofquality of signal transmissions in a communications network.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Originally, cable networks were established to transmittelevision signals to homes and offices. Cable networks providedadvantages over transmission television networks that included providinga clearer signal and a greater selection of channels. These networkswere made up of co-axial cables routed in a tree and branch structure tocustomer sites and were intended simply to provide customers with analogtelevision signals.

[0003] More recently, cable networks have been converted to transmitdigital signals in a hybrid of fiber optic cable and co-axial cablestructures. These converted networks accommodate not only traditional,analog television signals but also digital television signals, digitaldata signals and telephone signals. These cable networks use packetswitching techniques to transfer information (data) over packet networksusing packet switching techniques.

[0004] Digital television signals provide a crisper, more detailedpicture along with enhanced sound. With the capability to transmitdigital data signals, cable networks may now be coupled to the Internetthereby providing homes and offices access to the Internet. ThisInternet access is generally faster than access provided by othertechnologies. In addition, cable networks may now be used to transmittelephone voice signals in the form of packetized data. This involves asubstantial savings in the amount of wiring around houses and officesbecause one co-axial cable can now carry analog, digital and voicesignals.

[0005] Another signal transmission technology that offers significantimprovement in data transfer is the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)technology. DSL technology provides increased communications bandwidthwhile using existing twisted-pair copper lines that are prevalentthroughout much of the world. DSL delivers a basic data transfer rate of128 kbps. High speed DSL, or HDSL, can deliver a data transfer rate of1.544 megabits per second (Mbps) in North America, and 2.048 Mbpselsewhere. Asymmetric DSL, or ADSL, can deliver data rates ranging from1.5 to 9.0 Mbps on a downstream or receiving path, and 16 to 800 kbps onan upstream or sending path. Taken together, varying DSL technologiesare referred to as xDSL.

[0006] A conventional xDSL communication network includes a MainDistribution Frame (MDF), an access matrix, a DSL Access Multiplexer(DSLAM), and a test unit. The MDF is coupled to the access matrix, whichitself is coupled to the DSLAM and the test unit. The MDF, the accessmatrix, the test unit, and the DSLAM each reside at an xDSL serviceprovider site (or Central Office). At a customer site, a set of CustomerPremises Equipment (CPE) units is connected to the MDF. Each CPE unitincludes an xDSL modem.

[0007] To monitor the quality of the transmission of telephone or voicesignals in the form of packetized data, various transmission impairmenttests (TIT) are used. One common type of transmission impairment test isthe Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement (PSQM) according to theInternational Telecommunication Union (ITU) P.861 Standard. Informationabout ITU and ITU Standard P.861 is available at http://www.itu.ch.Determination of a PSQM score typically involves sending of a PSQM filefrom a home device to a remote device, and calculating a PSQM score bythe remote device based on the PSQM file received at the remote device.A PSQM file is a file including digital signals representative of voicesignals of various people (e.g., men, women, children, etc.) speakingdifferent languages. Alternatively, a PSQM score can be determined bysending a PSQM file from a remote device to a home device, andcalculating the PSQM score by the home device based on the PSQM filereceived at the home device. The PSQM score is a number between one andseven where a higher number represents higher quality.

[0008] Another type of TIT is the Perceptual Evaluation of SpeechQuality (PESQ) according to the ITU P.862 Standard. Information aboutITU P.862 is available at http://www.itu.ch. PESQ has been found to bemore accurate than PSQM at predicting quality in a very wide range ofnetworks, including the speed transmission quality of packet-orientednetworks. The PESQ score is a number between one and seven where ahigher number represents higher quality.

[0009] The quality of the transmission of telephone or voice signals inthe form of packetized data is also measured by another criteriacommonly known as the Quality of Services (QoS). The QoS is ameasurement of the amount of packet losses, jitter, delay, etc in thesignal transmission. Transmission impairment tests (e.g., PSQM andPESQ), and QoS are important criteria to determine the quality of signaltransmissions in a packetized network.

[0010] It should be noted that the TIT scores is more difficult toobtain than the QoS score as the TIT score, such as the PSQM score,varies with time and location of the measurement. Therefore, it would bedesirable to correlate the TIT scores with a corresponding QoS score bymeasuring the TIT scores and the QoS score for the same signaltransmission. This would allow a user (or an administrator) of thepacket network to use a QoS score to predict the corresponding TITscores. When the predicted TIT score drops below a minimum valueindicative of network problems, the administrator will be informed todetermine whether services to the network are needed to restore thesignal transmission quality.

[0011] However, there are problems associated with the prior art systemsthat make the correlation of TIT scores and QoS scores complicated andexpensive. First, even for a small region, thousands of phone calls arebeing made at any given time which makes it very difficult to keep trackof a particular test telephone call to allow the calculation of TITscore and QoS score. Second, the TIT scores vary from location tolocation and also from time to time for the same location because ofvariations in call patterns and the traffic conditions of the packetnetwork.

[0012] Thus, there has long been a need for a more economical and simplemonitoring method and system, which would monitor and calculate TITscores, such as PSQM scores and PESQ scores, and QoS scores for signaltransmissions over a packet network; and then use QoS scores to providean accurate prediction of the corresponding TIT scores.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention provides a method and system for monitoringthe quality of signal transmissions in a communications network.

[0014] The present invention further provides an economical and simplemethod and system for calculating both Transmission Impairment Test(TIT) scores and QoS scores for signal transmissions over acommunications network.

[0015] The present invention still further provides a method and systemfor providing a correlation between TIT scores and QoS scores of signaltransmissions over a communications network, thus allowing a user of thecommunications network to use a QoS score to predict the correspondingTIT score. When the TIT score falls below a minimum TIT score, the usermay be informed and will have an opportunity to determine if service tothe communications network is required to restore signal transmissionquality.

[0016] The present invention provides a communications network having acable modem termination system (CMTS); a voice band tester (VBT) coupledto the CMTS; a cable modem tester coupled to the CMTS; and a Voice overInternet Packet (VoIP) monitoring device coupled to the CMTS and theVBT. The VBT is located at a first location and the cable modem testeris located at a second location remote from the first location. Thecable modem tester is adapted to provide a first communication signal tothe voice band tester via the CMTS. The VoIP monitoring device isadapted to monitor the first communication signal and calculate a firstQuality of Services (QoS) score based on traffic density between theCMTS and the VBT. The VBT is further adapted to calculate a firstTransmission Impairment Test (TIT) score based on the firstcommunication signal and a first received communication signal receivedby the VBT from the cable modem tester and provide the first TIT scoreto the VoIP monitoring device. The first TIT score could be a score suchas a Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement (PSQM) score, or a PerceptualEvaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) score.

[0017] The present invention further provides a method for monitoringquality of signal transmissions within a communications network. Themethod includes the steps of: (a) providing a first communication signalfrom a cable modem tester located at a first location to a voice bandtester (VBT) located at a second location remote from the first locationvia a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS); (b) identifying the firstcommunication signal and begins monitoring signal transmissions from thecable modem tester to the VBT via the CMTS; (c) calculating a firstTransmission Impairment Test (TIT) score based on the firstcommunication signal and a first received communication signal receivedby the VBT from the cable modem tester; (d) providing the first TITscore to a Voice over Internet Packet (VoIP) monitoring device; and (e)calculating a first Quality of Services (QoS) score based on trafficdensity between the CMTS and the VBT.

[0018] The above and additional advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thefollowing detailed description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication network constructedin accordance with the present invention; and

[0020]FIGS. 2A and 2B are flowcharts which illustrate a method fordetermining the PSQM scores and QoS scores of test telephone calls usinga communication network as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0021]FIG. 3A shows a graph of the forward PSQM score as a function ofthe QoS; and

[0022]FIG. 3B shows a graph of the reverse PSQM score as a function ofthe QoS.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown a block diagram of acommunications network 100, e.g., a packet network, constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

[0024] The communications network 100 includes a network system 101,which is exemplified by a cable network system herein, but that can beany type of network system, including a wired system, a wireless system,or a combination thereof. The network system 101 includes a plurality ofBroadband Termination Interfaces (BTIs) 102 a and 102 b, a Cable ModemTermination System (CMTS) 104, and a cable modem tester 108.

[0025] The communications network 100 also includes an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) 106, a Voice Over Internet Packet (VoIP) monitoringdevice 110, a gateway 112, a telephone switch 114, and a Voice BandTester (VBT) 116. The CMTS 104 is coupled to the BTIs 102 a and 102 bvia co-axial cables 118 a and 118 b, respectively. For simplicity ofillustration, only two BTIs (102 a and 102 b ) are shown. It should beunderstood that the CMTS 104 may be connected to a large number of BTIs.

[0026] The CMTS 104 is coupled to the cable modem tester 108 via aco-axial cable 120, and to the ISP 106 via a conventional backbone line122. The CMTS 104 is also coupled to the gateway 112 via a co-axialcable 124. The BTI 102 a is coupled to a television 126 a, a personalcomputer (PC) 128 a, and a telephone 130 a. Similarly, BTI 102 b iscoupled to a television 126 b, a PC 128 b, and a telephone 130 b.

[0027] The VoIP monitoring device 110 is coupled to an endpoint 132 ofthe co-axial cable 124 so that it can monitor the communication betweenthe CMTS 104 and a VBT 116 through the gateway 112. The gateway 112 iscoupled to the telephone switch 114 via a co-axial cable 128. Thetelephone switch 114 is coupled to the VBT 116 via a telephone wire 134.

[0028] The BTIs 102 a and 102 b are typically located at customer sites.The CMTS 104 and the gateway 112 are typically located in a centraloffice and the VoIP monitoring device 110, the telephone switch 114, andthe VBT 116 are located between the central office and the customersites. The cable modem tester 108 is typically located at a customersite and may be used in place of a BTI at a customer site.Alternatively, the cable modem tester 108 may be integrated with a BTI(102 a or 102 b) at a customer site.

[0029] Each of the BTIs 102 a and 102 b converts broadband signals fromthe CMTS 104 to television, packetized data, and video/voice signals foruse by each of the televisions 126 a and 126 b, PC 128 a and 128 b, andtelephone 130 a and 130 b. Each of the BTIs 102 a and 102 b alsoconverts packetized data, and video/voice signals from each of the PC128 a and 128 b, and telephone 130 a and 130 b to broadband signals andprovide the broadband signals to the CMTS 104.

[0030] The CMTS 104 functions as a router, which is an internetworkingdevice, that expedites message delivery by determining the optimal pathalong which network traffic (or signals) should be forwarded. The CMTS104 may optionally include a computer and a memory (not shown) for datastorage.

[0031] The cable modem tester 108 performs Perceptual Speech QualityMeasurement (PSQM) calculation and determines the PSQM scores fortelephone calls from the VBT 116 to the cable modem tester 108. The PSQMscores are used as a measure of the quality of the transmission of voicesignals according to the ITU Standard P.861.

[0032] The VBT 116 is also capable of performing PSQM calculation anddetermines the PSQM scores for telephone calls from the cable modemtester 108 to the VBT 116.

[0033] Each of the cable modem testers 108 and the VBTs 116 keeps a copyof an original PSQM file. The copies of the original PSQM file do notneed to be identical.

[0034] In another embodiment, the cable modem tester 108 and the VBT 116are capable of performing other types of transmission impairment tests(TIT), such as the Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ)according to the ITU P.862 Standard.

[0035] The ISP 106 is a conventional Internet service provider thatprovides Internet service to a user of the communications network 100.

[0036] The VoIP monitoring device 110 manages network quality, includingmonitoring and assessing Quality of Services (QoS) for each connectionin a network. A QoS result typically includes the computation of packetloss, latency and jitter that are the most common problems that affectreal time applications such as voice. Packet loss often increases withtraffic and congestion. Buffering requirements causes latency. Jitterresults from unequal queuing and routing of network nodes. A discussionof QoS can be found in Request for Comment (RFC) 1889 document, which isavailable from a number of sources includinghttp://www.pasteur.fr/infosci/RFC. RFCs are the official publications ofthe Internet and have been used since 1969 to describe and obtaincomments about protocol, procedures, and programs applicable to theInternet. The RFC 1889 document defines a real-time transport protocol,consisting of two closely linked parts. The first part contains the datacarrying the real-time properties (RTP). The RTP provides end-to-enddelivery services for data with real-time characteristics, such asinteractive audio and video. The second part is the RTP control protocol(RTCP), which is used to monitor the quality of services and to conveyinformation about the participants in an on-going session.

[0037] The VoIP monitoring device 110 is adapted to provide per call QoSresults. The QoS results provide the detail needed to diagnose a networkand its effect on live applications. The VoIP monitoring device 110provides real time monitoring and identification of packetirregularities, which may lead to significant cost savings in resolvingnetwork problems.

[0038] An example of such VoIP monitoring device is the GhepardoProtocol Analyzer/Server, available from Sunrise Telecom of San Jose,Calif.

[0039] The VoIP monitoring device 110 monitors the communicationsbetween the CMTS 104 and the gateway 112. The VoIP monitoring device 110determines the QoS of calls between the cable modem tester 108 (via theCMTS 104) and the VBT 116 and correlates the QoS score with itscorresponding PSQM score for any particular test telephone call.

[0040] The VoIP monitoring device 110 may track telephone calls usingeither a detection of content-based information, such as RTP packet thatis based on the RFC 1889 Standard, or a detection of signaling-basedinformation, such as by adding a code “X” commands used in the PacketCable Network Base Call Signal (NCS) Protocol. The NCS Protocol permitsa user to create special command if it's preceded with an “X”. Forexample, in one embodiment, the code “XTST” means “test”.

[0041] In one embodiment, the telephone switch 114 is a conventional5ESS switch commonly used in offices and homes.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, therein are shown flowcharts ofa method for determining the PSQM and QoS score of test phone callsusing the packet communications network 100 as shown in FIG. 1 inaccordance with the present invention.

[0043] In one embodiment, the method begins in step 200 with the cablemodem tester 108 generating a first test telephone call with a signalhaving a unique pattern that is formatted in accordance with the PacketNetwork Base Call Signal (NCS) protocol. The signal includes a firstPSQM file.

[0044] The cable modem tester 108 sends (or transmits) a first PSQM filevia the CMTS 104 to the VBT 116, which is located at the central office.In this embodiment, the cable modem tester 108 is located at a customersite and replaces a BTI that is used at the customer site.Alternatively, the cable modem tester 108 may be integrated with a BTIat the customer site. In one embodiment, the signal further includes aspecial code which has, for example, an “X” preceding a command just asin the NCS Protocol.

[0045] In a step 202, the VoIP monitoring device 110 recognizes the testtelephone call based on its unique pattern of the signal, such as thepresence of a special code which includes an “X” preceding a command.The special code may also include an identifier that identifies thecable modem tester 108. The VoIP monitoring device 110 starts trackingsignal transmissions, that is, calls from the cable modem tester 108 tothe VBT 116.

[0046] In a step 204, the VBT 116 receives a first received PSQM fileand calculates a first PSQM score (or a forward PSQM score as will laterbe described) based on the first PSQM file that was sent by the cablemodem tester 108 and the first received PSQM file that is actuallyreceived by the VBT 116. As described earlier, the VBT 116 keeps a copyof the first PSQM file in its memory and this copy of the first PSQMfile is used to calculate the first PSQM score.

[0047] In a step 206, the VBT 116 provides the first PSQM score to theVoIP monitoring device 110.

[0048] In a step 208 that is performed simultaneously with step 206, theVoIP monitoring device 110 performs a first QoS measurement on thetraffic density during the transmission of the first PSQM file from thecable modem tester 108 to the VBT 116 and calculates a first QoS score.

[0049] In a step 210, the VoIP monitoring device 110 records the time ofthe first test telephone call, the first PSQM score and the first QoSscore. In one embodiment, the VoIP monitoring device 110 provides thetime of the first test telephone call, the first PSQM score and thefirst QoS score to the CMTS 104 for storage.

[0050] In a step 212, the VBT 116 generates a second test telephone callwith a signal having a unique pattern that is formatted in accordancewith the Packet Network Base Call Signal (NCS) protocol via the CMTS 104to the cable modem tester 108 located at the customer site. The signalincludes a second PSQM file. In one embodiment, the signal furtherincludes a special code which includes, for example, an “X” preceding acommand.

[0051] In a step 214, the VoIP monitoring device 110 recognizes the testtelephone call based on its unique pattern of the signal, which mayinclude a special code. The special code may use an “X” preceding acommand. The special code may also include an identifier that identifiesthe VBT 116. The VoIP monitoring device 110 starts tracking signaltransmissions from the VBT 116 to the cable modem tester 108.

[0052] In a step 216, the cable modem tester 108 receives a secondreceived PSQM file and calculates a second PSQM score (or a reverse PSQMscore as will later be described) based on the second PSQM that was sentby the VBT 116 and the second received PSQM file that is actuallyreceived by the cable modem tester 108. As described earlier, the cablemodem tester 108 keeps a copy of the second PSQM file in its memory andthis copy of the second PSQM file is used for calculating the secondPSQM score.

[0053] In a step 218, the cable modem tester 108 provides the secondPSQM score to the VoIP monitoring device 110.

[0054] In a step 220 that is performed simultaneously with step 218, theVoIP monitoring device 110 performs a second QoS measurement based onthe traffic density of the transmission of the second PSQM file going inthe opposite direction from the VBT 116 to the cable modem tester 108and calculates a second QoS score. The measurements are in the samedirections as the PSQM files are transmitted.

[0055] In a step 222, the VoIP monitoring device 110 records the time ofthe second test telephone call, the second PSQM score and the second QoSscore. In one embodiment, the VoIP monitoring device 110 provides thetime of the second test telephone call, the second PSQM score and thesecond QoS score to the CMTS 104 for storage.

[0056] In a step 224, the cable modem tester 108 determines if it istime to generate a third test telephone call. If so, the method returnsto step 200. Otherwise, the method ends.

[0057] In a second embodiment, only the cable modem tester 108 is usedto generate test telephone calls. In this case, the method will gothrough steps 200 to 210, and then to 224.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 3A, therein is shown a graph 300 of theforward PSQM score as a function of the corresponding QoS score. As usedherein, forward PSQM scores refer to PSQM scores calculated by the VBT116 of PSQM files that are sent by the cable modem tester 108 to the VBT116. For example, the first PSQM score described in FIG. 2A is a forwardPSQM score. As the QoS score decreases (i.e., the QoS becomes morenegative), the forward PSQM score decreases. The graph 300 can beprepared by generating a number of test telephone calls from the cablemodem tester 108 to the VBT 116 at different times and from differentlocations, and obtaining the forward PSQM scores and the correspondingQoS scores using the method in accordance with the present invention asdescribed in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0059] P₁ is the minimum forward PSQM score allowable for an acceptablesignal transmission in a packetized network. Q₁ is the QoS value thatcorresponds to P1. Therefore, the graph 300 allows a user to monitor thesignal transmissions in the communications network 100 by keeping trackof the QoS scores, which can be used to predict the corresponding PSQMscores. When QoS score drops to Q₁ or below, it means that the predictedforward PSQM score is not acceptable which indicates network problems. Amessage may be sent to the user to inform the user that services to thecommunications network 100 may be needed to restore signal transmissionquality.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 3B, therein is shown a graph 302 of reversePSQM score as a function of the corresponding QoS score. As used herein,reverse PSQM scores refer to PSQM scores calculated by the cable modemtester 108 of PSQM files that are sent by the VBT 116 to the cable modemtester 108. For example, the second PSQM score described in FIG. 2B is areversed PSQM score. As the QoS score decreases (i.e., the QoS becomesmore negative), the reversed PSQM score decreases. The graph 302 can beprepared by generating a number of test telephone calls from the VBT 116to the cable modem tester 108 at different times and from differentlocations, and obtaining the reverse PSQM scores and the correspondingQoS scores using the method in accordance with the present invention asdescribed in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0061] P₂ is the minimum reverse PSQM score allowable for an acceptablesignal transmission in a packetized network. Q₂ is the QoS value thatcorresponds to P₂. Therefore, graph 302 allows a user to monitor thesignal transmission in the communications network 100 by keeping trackof the QoS. When QoS drops to Q₂ or below, it means that the reversePSQM score is not acceptable which indicates network problems. A messagemay be sent to the user to inform the user that services to thecommunications network 100 may be needed to restore signal transmissionquality.

[0062] Therefore, the present invention provides a method and system formonitoring the signal transmission quality of a communications network.Specifically, QoS can be used to predict the corresponding TIT scores,such as forward or reverse PSQM scores, and allow a user to keep trackof quality of signal transmissions in the communications network.

[0063] While the best mode describes calculating PSQM scores, and usingQoS to predict corresponding PSQM scores to keep track of the quality ofsignal transmission in a communications network, it should be understoodthat the present invention is applicable to other type of TIT scoressuch as the PESQ scores.

[0064] Further, the present invention is also applicable to DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL) technology and Voice over DSL (VoDSL) technology.In this case, the BTIs 102 a and 102 b will be replaced by DSL modems;the cable modem tester 108 will be replaced by DSL modem tester; theCMTS 104 will be replaced by a DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM).

[0065] While the invention has been described in conjunction with aspecific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of the aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intendedto embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations whichfall within the spirit and scope of the included claims. All matters setforth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpretedin an illustrative and non-limiting sense.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A communications network, comprising: amodem termination system (MTS); a voice band tester (VBT) coupled to theMTS, the VBT being located at a first location; a modem tester coupledto the MTS, the modem tester being located at a second location remotefrom the first location, the modem tester adapted to provide a firstcommunication signal to the VBT via the MTS; and a Voice over InternetPacket (VoIP) monitoring device coupled to the MTS and the VBT, the VoIPmonitoring device adapted to monitor the first communication signal, andcalculate a first Quality of Services (QoS) score based on trafficdensity between the MTS and the VBT; wherein the VBT is adapted to:calculate a first Transmission Impairment Test (TIT) score based on thefirst communication signal and a first received communication signalreceived by the VBT from the modem tester, and provide the first TITscore to the VoIP monitoring device.
 2. The communications network asclaimed in claim 1 wherein: the VBT is further adapted to provide asecond communication signal to the modem tester via the MTS; the modemtester is further adapted to calculate a second TIT score based on thesecond communication signal and a second received communication signalreceived by the modem tester from the VBT, and provide the second TITscore to the VoIP monitoring device; and the VoIP monitoring device isfurther adapted to monitor the second communication signal, andcalculate a second QoS score based on a transmission of the secondcommunication signal from the VBT to the modem tester.
 3. Thecommunications network as claimed in claim 2 wherein the firstcommunication signal, the first received communication signal, thesecond communication signal, and the second received communicationsignal include TIT files.
 4. The communications network as claimed inclaim 3 wherein: the first TIT score is a score selected from the groupconsisting of Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement (PSQM) score andPerceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) score; the second TITscore is a score selected from the group consisting of PSQM score andPESQ score; and the TIT files are files selected from the groupconsisting PSQM files and PESQ files.
 5. The communications network asclaimed in claim 2 wherein: the first QoS score is determined based onfactors selected from a group consisting of packet losses, jitter, anddelays in the transmission of the first communication signal from themodem tester to the VBT; and the second QoS score is determined based onfactors selected from a group consisting of packet losses, jitter, anddelays in the transmission of the second communication signal from theVBT to the modem tester.
 6. The communications network as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the first communication signal contains a special codedetectable by the VoIP monitoring device, and the VoIP monitoring devicebegins to monitor signal transmissions from the modem tester to VBT viathe MTS once the special code is detected.
 7. The communications networkas claimed in claim 1 wherein the MTS is part of a network systemselected from a group consisting of a wired network system, a wirelessnetwork system, and a combination thereof.
 8. The communications networkas claimed in claim 1 wherein the VoIP monitoring device is adapted toprovide the first PSQM score, and the first QoS score to the MTS forstorage.
 9. The communications network as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising: a Broadband Termination Interface (BTI) coupled to the MTS,the BTI adapted to convert broadband signals to signals selected from agroup consisting of television, packetized data, video, voice, and acombination thereof.
 10. The communications network as claimed in claim1 wherein the modem tester is integrated with the BTI.
 11. Acommunications network, comprising: a cable modem termination system(CMTS); a voice band tester (VBT) coupled to the CMTS, the VBT beinglocated at a first location; a cable modem tester coupled to the CMTS,the cable modern tester being located at a second location remote fromthe first location, the cable modem tester adapted to provide a firstcommunication signal to the VBT via the CMTS; and a Voice over InternetPacket (VoIP) monitoring device coupled to the CMTS and the VBT, theVoIP monitoring device adapted to monitor the first communicationsignal, and calculate a first Quality of Services (QoS) score based ontraffic density between the CMTS and the VBT; wherein: the VBT isadapted to calculate a first Transmission Impairment Test (TIT) scorebased on the first communication signal and a first receivedcommunication signal received by the VBT from the cable modem tester,and provide the first TIT score to the VoIP monitoring device, the VBTis further adapted to generate a second communication signal to thecable modem tester via the CMTS, the cable modem tester is furtheradapted to calculate a second TIT score based on the secondcommunication signal and a second received communication signal receivedby the cable modem tester from the VBT, and provide the second TIT scoreto the VoIP monitoring device, the VoIP monitoring device is furtheradapted to monitor the second communication signal, and calculate asecond QoS score based on a transmission of the second communicationsignal from the VBT to the cable modem tester, the first QoS score isdetermined based on factors selected from a group consisting of packetlosses, jitter, and delays in the transmission of the firstcommunication signal from the cable modem tester to the VBT, and thesecond QoS score is determined based on factors selected from a groupconsisting of packet losses, jitter, and delays in the transmission ofthe second communication signal from the VBT to the cable modem tester.12. The communications network as claimed in claim 11 wherein: the firstcommunication signal contains a special code detectable by the VoIPmonitoring device, the special code includes an identifier whichidentifies the cable modem tester; the VoIP monitoring device is adaptedto begin monitoring signal transmissions from the cable modem tester toVBT via the CMTS once the special code is detected; and the CMTS is partof a network system selected from a group consisting of a wired networksystem, a wireless network system, and a combination thereof.
 13. Thecommunications network as claimed in claim 11 wherein: the firstcommunication signal, the first received communication signal, thesecond communication signal, the second received communication signalinclude TIT files, the TIT files are files selected from the groupconsisting PSQM files and PESQ files; the first TIT score is a scoreselected from the group consisting of Perceptual Speech QualityMeasurement (PSQM) score and Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality(PESQ) score; and the second TIT score is a score selected from thegroup consisting of PSQM score and PESQ score.
 14. A communicationsnetwork, comprising: a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer(DSLAM); a voice band tester (VBT) coupled to the DSLAM, the VBT beinglocated at a first location; a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) testercoupled to the DSLAM, the DSL modem tester being located at a secondlocation remote from the first location, the DSL modem tester adapted toprovide a first communication signal to the VBT via the DSLAM; and aVoice over DSL (VoDSL) monitoring device coupled to the DSLAM and theVBT, the VoDSL monitoring device adapted to monitor the firstcommunication signal, and calculate a first Quality of Services (QoS)score based on traffic density between the CMTS and the VBT; wherein theVBT is adapted to: calculate a first Transmission Impairment Test (TIT)score based on the first communication signal and a first receivedcommunication signal received by the VBT from the DSL modem tester, andprovide the first TIT score to the VoDSL monitoring device.
 15. A methodfor monitoring quality of signal transmissions within a communicationsnetwork, comprising: providing a first communication signal from a cablemodem tester located at a first location to a voice band tester (VBT)located at a second location remote from the first location via a CableModem Termination System (CMTS); identifying the first communicationsignal and begins monitoring signal transmissions from the cable modemtester to the VBT via the CMTS; calculating a first TransmissionImpairment Test (TIT) score based on the first communication signal anda first received communication signal received by the VBT from the cablemodem tester; providing the first TIT score to a Voice over InternetPacket (VoIP) monitoring device; and calculating a first Quality ofServices (QoS) score based on traffic density between the CMTS and theVBT.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising: providinga second communication signal from the VBT to the cable modem tester viathe CMTS; identifying the second communication signal and beginsmonitoring signal transmissions from the VBT to the cable modem testervia the CMTS; calculating a second TIT score based on the secondcommunication signal and a second received communication signal receivedby the cable modem tester from the VBT; providing the second TIT scoreto the VoIP monitoring device; and calculating a second QoS score basedon a transmission of the second communication signal from the VBT to thecable modem tester.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15 whereinidentifying the first communication signal includes identifying aspecial code detectable by the VoIP monitoring device.
 18. The method asclaimed in claim 17 wherein the special code includes an identifierwhich identifies the cable modem tester and wherein the MTS is part of anetwork system selected from a group consisting of a wired networksystem, a wireless network system, and a combination thereof.
 19. Themethod as claimed in claim 16 wherein: calculating the first QoS scoreuses factors selected from a group consisting of packet losses, jitter,and delays in the transmission of the first communication signal fromthe cable modem tester to the VBT; and the second QoS score uses factorsselected from a group consisting of packet losses, jitter, and delays inthe transmission of the second communication signal from the VBT to thecable modem tester.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 16 furtherincluding: predicting a TIT score based on a QoS score; informing a userof the communications network that services to the communicationsnetwork may be needed to restore signal transmission quality if the TITscore is below a minimum TIT score.
 21. The method as claimed in claim17 wherein the first communication signal, the first receivedcommunication signal, the second communication signal, and the secondreceived communication signal include TIT files.
 22. The method asclaimed in claim 21 wherein: the first TIT score is a score selectedfrom the group consisting of Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement(PSQM) score and Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) score;the second TIT score is a score selected from the group consisting ofPSQM score and PESQ score; and the TIT files are files selected from thegroup consisting PSQM files and PESQ files.
 23. A method for monitoringquality of signal transmissions within a communications network,comprising providing a first communication signal from a cable modemtester located at a first location to a voice band tester (VBT) locatedat a second location remote from the first location via a Cable ModemTermination System (CMTS); identifying the first communication signaland begins monitoring signal transmissions from the cable modem testerto the VBT via the CMTS; calculating a first Transmission ImpairmentTest (TIT) score based on the first communication signal and a firstreceived communication signal received by the VBT from the cable modemtester; providing the first TIT score to a Voice over Internet Packet(VoIP) monitoring device; calculating a first Quality of Services (QoS)score based on a transmission of the first communication signal from thecable modem tester to the VBT; providing a second communication signalfrom the VBT to the cable modem tester via the CMTS; identifying thesecond communication signal and begins monitoring signal transmissionsfrom the VBT to the cable modem tester via the CMTS; calculating asecond TIT score based on the second communication signal and a secondreceived communication signal received by the cable modem tester fromthe VBT; providing the second TIT score to the VoIP monitoring device;and calculating a second QoS score based on a transmission of the secondcommunication signal from the VBT to the cable modem tester.
 24. Themethod as claimed in claim 23 further including: predicting a PSQM scorebased on a QoS score; informing a user of the communications networkthat services to the communications network may be needed to restoresignal transmission quality if the TIT score is below a minimum TITscore.
 25. A method for monitoring quality of signal transmissionswithin a communications network, comprising: providing a firstcommunication signal from a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) tester locatedat a first location to a voice band tester (VBT) located at a secondlocation remote from the first location via a Digital Subscriber LineAccess Multiplexer (DSLAM); identifying the first communication signaland begins monitoring signal transmissions from the DSL modem tester tothe VBT via the DSLAM; calculating a first Transmission Impairment Test(TIT) score based on the first communication signal and a first receivedcommunication signal received by the VBT from the DSL modem tester;providing the first TIT score to a Voice over DSL (VoDSL) monitoringdevice; and calculating a first Quality of Services (QoS) score based ona transmission of the first communication signal from the DSL modemtester to the VBT.